Materials & Prep List - RaNae Merrill Quilt Design

Spirals Boot Camp Full-Day Workshop
with RaNae Merrill
Based on the book Simply Amazing Spiral Quilts
Kit provided in class contains preprinted foundation for center block, complete
pattern, design tools and instructions. There is a small fee, payable in class.
This materials list can also be found online at
http://www.ranaemerrillquilts.com/teaching/158
In this workshop, you will learn how to draw, color and sew the four types of spirals: Nesting, Baravelle,
Pinwheel and Point-to-Point, based on the techniques in RaNae’s books Simply Amazing Spiral Quilts and
Magnificent Spiral Mandala Quilts. (Books will be available for purchase at the workshop, but are not
required. To purchase a book in advance, go to www.ranaemerrillquilts.com and click on “STORE”.) There
will be time in class to sew two spiral blocks, covering the two different techniques for sewing spirals. You will
receive patterns for a hot pad and a tote bag to use your blocks at home. Of course, you’re welcome to keep
making more to create a whole quilt!
Tools and Materials for class:
_____ Basic sewing tools: pins, scissors, etc.
_____ Scissors for paper
_____ Neutral colored thread for sewing
_____ Rotary cutter with ruler and mat
_____ Pen & Pencil
_____ Several sheets of white paper 8-1/2” x 11”
_____ Translucent foundation material (see note on
next page; preprinted foundations for class are
provided in kit, material is also available for
purchase in class.)
_____ Two highlighter pens in different colors
_____ Scotch tape
_____ Double-sided scotch tape (permanent,
not the removable kind)
_____ Masking or painter’s tape
_____ Add-a-Quarter tool
(available for purchase in class)
_____ Seam roller (optional, but really helpful;
available for purchase in class)
Fabric for 2 spiral blocks: (Yardages are generous)
One or both spiral fabrics should be solids, textures, tone-on-tones or small prints. If you use a print for one
fabric, the other must be a solid. For fussy-cut centers, choose a large-scale print in colors that coordinate
with the other colors. It is ideal if the background color the same as one of the other fabrics.
Light color for spiral block (at least one color) 1/4 yd if only one color;
1/8 yd of each if more than one color
Dark color for spiral block (at least one color) 1/4 yd if only one color;
1/8 yd of each if more than one color
Fabric for fussy-cut center
2 squares 4-1/2” x 4-1/2” with fussy-cut design in
center
Copyright © 2009 RaNae Merrill All rights reserved www.ranaemerrillquilts.com

Additional materials for making 2 hot pads: (Not used in class. Refer to class follow-up materials.)
Background, back of hot pad and binding
5/8 yd (allows 40” binding strip to be cut diagonally
(This can be one of the colors in the spiral. If so, 5/8 without piecing.)
yard is enough for making the spiral as well. Cut
binding and backing first, then cut spiral pieces from
remaining fabric.)
Insulbrite batting
2 squares 8-1/2” x 8-1/2” (Samples provided in
workshop courtesy of The Warm Company)
Batting (cotton or wool, not polyester) 2 squares 8-1/2” x 8-1/2”
About Translucent Foundation Material:
Spirals are sewn using paper piecing, so they require a foundation material to which you sew the fabric. I insist
on foundation material that is translucent, which means you can see through it. Since you can see through it,
you put fabric on the front and sew from the back. This means that you don’t have to think in mirror-image like
you have to do on an opaque foundation. (Traditional paper-piecers take note!) Translucent foundation material
costs a bit more than regular paper, but the time and frustration saved are more than worth it!
There are two types of translucent foundation material: paper (vellum) and non-woven fabric. Paper can be
printed on any printer (inkjet or laser) or photocopier, and must be removed after sewing. Non-woven fabric
can be printed on an inkjet printer and can be left in after sewing. Either will work for this project.
What not to use: Rinse-away foundations -- some people like them, but personally I don’t, so I don’t recommend
them. DO NOT USE VELLUM FROM THE STATIONERY STORE. It becomes brittle and rolls when
ironed. Art store tracing paper is too delicate to stand up to the wear of this project.
For this workshop, foundations will be provided for you, preprinted on translucent foundation material. If you
wish to purchase more, most quilt shops have some version of it. You can purchase the following products in
class or through my online store at www.ranaemerrillquilts.com:
Simply Amazing Translucent Foundation Paper – A translucent paper. Comes in 8-1/2″ x 11″ sheets. Can be
printed on inkjet printers, laser printers or copy machines. Tear away after sewing.
EQ Printables Foundation Sheets – A non-woven fabric. Comes in 8-1/2″ x 11″ sheets. Can be printed on
inkjet printers. Leave in or tear away after sewing.
To order Magnificent Spiral Mandala Quilts, Simply Amazing Spiral Quilts and other supplies,
go to www.ranaemerrillquilts.com
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Visit the Spiromaniacs blog at http://spiromaniacs.wordpress.com and
the Magnificent Spiral Mandalas blog at http://spiromandalas.wordpress.com/
Sign up to receive the Spiromaniacs newsletter and a free pattern at www.ranaemerrillquilts.com/join
For more information about Spiral Quilt workshops and lectures, go to www.ranaemerrillquilts.com/teaching,
or contact RaNae at ranae@ranaemerrillquilts.com or 212-316-2063
Corrections, suggestions, questions? ranae@ranaemerrillquilts.com/contact
All designs, patterns & instructions (C) RaNae Merrill All rights reserved.
Excerpted from These Simply materials Amazing are solely Spiral for Quilts use Copyright by RaNae Merrill © 2008 in RaNae her workshops, Merrill All and rights reserved.
www.ranaemerrillquilts.com may not be used by any other These person materials or organization are solely for for use any by purpose registered (whether students or of not RaNae for profit) Merrill’s
classes and may not unless be reproduced, specifically distributed authorized or to used do so for in teaching writing by materials, RaNae Merrill. whether or not for profit. 3-18-13